A MAN said to be brandishing a gun brought terror to a New Forest community, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Scores of armed police were drafted in following several reports that a man was bursting into premises, including a church and a restaurant, where he was seen carrying what was said to be a handgun.

During the incident he also visited a shop and an off-licence where he allegedly threatened staff - and on one occasion the gun was said to have been fired.

The drama unfolded on Sunday in Lyndhurst as members of the congregation of St Michael and All Angels Church, pictured above, in High Street were preparing to attend an early evening service.

The man allegedly got into the building, a local landmark built in the 1860s, and destroyed a book of remembrance before hurling objects, including candles, around the inside of the church, which contains a number of famous paintings and stained glass.

Minutes later the man is said to have burst into a nearby Threshers off-licence, where he allegedly threatened a male member of staff with the firearm and demanded money.

A customer walked in during the alleged robbery, during which the handgun was said to have been fired. Nobody was injured.

The man is understood to have fled the scene with cash before making his way into Prezzo's restaurant, which was busy at the time.

Several members of staff were working when the man arrived, allegedly threatening two of them at gunpoint before they managed to shut him out of the front door and lock it behind him.

Later in the evening, as police scoured the area for the alleged gunman, a call was made from a convenience store in Calmore, where a man said to be brandishing a gun had stormed in.

Members of staff at the Tesco Express, off Calmore Drive, were allegedly threatened before the manager intervened. The man is said to have taken bottles of alcohol, using them to make alleged threats before he fled.

Detectives confirmed that they received a call at about 6.30pm on Sunday following two reports of alleged robberies in the town.

Police, including scenes of crime officers and the force dog unit, were involved in the hunt for the man, which continued into the early hours of Monday.

A 23-year-old man has appeared before magistrates in Lyndhurst charged with criminal damage, two counts of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm during a robbery, attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and violence.

He has been remanded in custody while his case is referred to Southampton Crown Court.